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Brandon Slade
November 20, 2024
How Olivia Fabry Manages College, NIL Deals, and ADHD
Summary: In a recent interview with Untapped, Olivia Fabry, a Notre Dame student-athlete opened up about her journey from high school pole vault champion to balancing the intense demands of college academics and athletics. Her story sheds light on the essential role of executive function skills like time management, organization, and self-advocacy in keeping up with a packed college life as a student-athlete.
From Gymnastics to Pole Vaulting
Olivia’s athletic journey didn’t follow the typical path. She started in gymnastics and volleyball before switching to pole vaulting, which she describes as gymnastics with a twist. This switch paid off, with Olivia going on to win multiple state championships.
The unwavering support from her father, who took on the role of her coach without prior experience, played a big part in her success. “We joke about it because he didn’t know anything about pole vaulting,” she laughs, yet his dedication turned him into one of Wisconsin’s most successful pole vault coaches. Olivia’s story highlights the importance of family support in overcoming the challenges of a student-athlete’s demanding life.
Using Executive Function Skills to Manage ADHD
Organization hasn’t always come easily to Olivia, especially with ADHD in the mix. She found that while minimal organization worked in high school, college demanded more structure and discipline. Now, Olivia relies on Google Calendar to keep her day organized, breaking it into 15-minute blocks and color-coding each activity.
She tracks everything, from study time to social plans, and this visual system helps her stay on top of her responsibilities. This method, which tackles key executive function challenges like getting started on tasks and time management, helps her focus on one task at a time and reduces the chances of forgetting something important.
Thriving Under Pressure by Breaking Down Tasks
Olivia admits that pressure can sometimes bring out her best performance. This “fire drill” approach works for her in athletics, but she learned that in academics, it wasn’t sustainable. So, she developed a new strategy: breaking down large projects into smaller steps.
For example, in her graduate studies, she schedules tasks throughout the week, like doing research on Monday and outlining on Tuesday. This chunking method helps her manage stress and build momentum as she checks off each step. For students dealing with procrastination, breaking big tasks into small, manageable parts can make starting easier and prevent last-minute stress.
Prioritizing Sleep and Well-being
In her freshman year, Olivia often stayed up late to finish assignments. But she quickly realized that this wasn’t sustainable. “You can’t perform well without rest,” she now emphasizes, aiming to be in bed by 10:30 p.m. every night. Prioritizing sleep has become a key part of her routine, as it’s essential for focus, memory, and managing her busy schedule.
Using University Resources
One thing that has made a big difference for Olivia is using the resources available to her. “I had tutors for several classes in my freshman and sophomore years, and I don’t think I would’ve succeeded without them,” she shares. Freshman athletes at Notre Dame also participate in mandatory study halls, which she found very helpful.
She’s worked with academic advisors and, in her later years, with sports psychologists who provided support for both the mental and academic demands of her life. For any student juggling multiple responsibilities, Olivia’s approach shows that self-advocacy is needed for both success and well-being.
Lessons from Olivia’s Experience
Olivia’s journey offers helpful insights for students striving to balance academics and extracurriculars:
- Visual Organization: By color-coding her Google Calendar, Olivia keeps her responsibilities clear and manageable. Tools like calendars and scheduling apps can be a game-changer for students with ADHD or those facing executive function challenges.
- Chunking Tasks: Breaking big assignments into smaller steps and spreading them over the week reduces last-minute stress. This method builds confidence and keeps progress moving forward.
- Prioritize Sleep: Adequate sleep supports academic and athletic success. Shifting her routine to prioritize rest has helped Olivia improve focus, memory, and resilience.
- Seek Support Early: Tutors, advisors, and sports psychologists helped Olivia balance her demanding schedule. Building a support network early on is key to thriving in high-stress environments.
- Build a Routine That Works for You: Olivia has designed a daily routine that supports her unique needs, including ADHD. Finding an organizational system that feels natural can boost consistency and prevent falling behind.
Advice to Her Younger Self
Looking back, Olivia’s advice for younger athletes is to start building good habits early. “Use every resource, like Google Calendar and academic advisors, and start small habits that keep you on track,” she says. Starting small creates confidence and helps build independence for college life.
Olivia’s story is a great example of how structure, planning, and a growth mindset can make a packed schedule manageable. For students juggling multiple roles, her approach shows that with organization, support, and consistency, they can find success.
Finding Structure in the Chaos
Balancing academics, athletics, NIL deals, and ADHD is no easy feat, but Olivia’s intentional planning and executive function strategies make it work. Her path demonstrates that with the right tools, students can create order in their busy lives.
Untapped Learning offers coaching to help students build these skills. With techniques like Olivia’s, students can unlock their potential and create a fulfilling college experience. For more strategies on managing ADHD and balancing college life, check out Untapped Learning’s coaching programs tailored to students’ unique needs.
Brandon Slade is the founder of Untapped Learning. He combines his personal experience with executive function challenges with his years of experience in order to help students across the country.
